Educational Resource Library

The Educational Resource Center Library provides research materials and a place for study about the family, other natural systems, family psychotherapy, and other applications of natural systems theory.

Many materials are original and not found in any other library. Some examples are:

AV presentations in Pittsburgh by Dr. Murray Bowen, originator of the theory, (these materials are also available at the National Library of Medicine), presentations on theory by Dr. Michael Kerr, Director Emeritus of the Bowen Center for the Study of the Family and now Director of the Bowen Academy, Dr. Daniel Papero of the Bowen Center for the Study of the Family. Other original works include presentations on specialty topics such as Priscilla Friesen on Biofeedback, Physiology and Theory, Dr. Walter Smith, on Child Abuse and Emotional Systems, Paulina McCullough’s discussion with nurses on Families and the Aging and Sandra Rutenburg speaking on Exploring Extended Family. For a complete listing, please refer to the AudioVisual tab.

A unique collection of copies of original drafts of Dr. Bowen’s paper “A Psychological Formulation of Schizophrenia” by Murray Bowen, M.D. written about 1957. This is a seminal paper recording ten years of Bowen’s thinking, explorations and research prior to going to NIMH. The paper was published posthumously in Family Systems Journal, Vol. 2, No.1, Spring/Summer 1995. These drafts give an opportunity to follow the evolution of Dr. Bowen’s thinking from draft to published paper. The originals of these drafts are now located at the National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, M.D.

Seventy-seven references of the eighty-five Bowen cites in his book, Family Therapy in Clinical Practice, published in 1978, are available at Western Pennsylvania Family Center library.

The ERC is the only local library specializing in print and audiovisual resources concerned with Bowen family systems theory and psychotherapy.

LIBRARY HOURS Monday through Friday, by appointment.

BORROWING PRIVILEGES
Any interested person may use the library’s materials on the premises. The library is self-servicing except for audiovisual materials. Borrowing privileges are offered to students, members, faculty, and staff of the Western Pennsylvania Family Center.

OUR PRINT COLLECTIONS The library has four print collections: 1) the general collection with materials related to theories of human behavior, family systems theory, family therapy, and natural systems; 2) the Hollander Collection with books on concerns of businesses and organizations; 3) the Bowen Reference Collection that has materials referenced in Dr. Bowen’s book Family Therapy in Clinical Practice; and 4) Reserve books,, which may not be removed from the library.

Articles and journals are available for in-library use only.

BOOK CIRCULATION Books circulate for 2 weeks. There is an overdue fee of $0.25 per day for books kept beyond the borrowing time.